The National Army attacked anti-Treaty forces in the Four Courts on 28 June 1922. Image: Alamy Stock Photo The National Army attacked anti-Treaty forces in the Four Courts on 28 June 1922. Image: Alamy Stock Photo IN THE EARLY hours of 28 June 1922 Provisional Government forces began bombarding the anti-Treaty garrison at the Four Courts in Dublin city Centre, launching the Battle of Dublin and Ireland’s Civil War.
However, everything changed following the assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson on 22 June. Dorney, who is chief editor of The Irish Story history website, told The Journal that the pro-Treaty side then used the kidnapping of National Army General JJ ‘Ginger’ O’Connell by anti-Treaty forces as its justification for launching the attack.On 27 June, Collins issued a final ultimatum to the Four Courts garrison to surrender and then shortly after 4am the following morning it began bombarding the Four Courts using British 18-pounder field guns to carry out the offensive.
While the Provisional Government forces were equipped with better weapons, they had not been trained how to use them and the force was still in its infancy. After the assault began, the Dublin Brigade of the anti-Treaty IRA occupied several buildings around the city to distract attention from the Four Courts and there were various skirmishes around the capital.
The British had 6,000 troops in Dublin, they had artillery, they had an air squadron in what’s now Dublin Airport. There would have been a British intervention and the British would have retaken Dublin city. “That would have happened but it would have collapsed the Treaty. So, where we would have been then is anyone’s guess.”
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